Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

A shop employee was explaining their sales pitch to a small group.

”The Fire Axe Skill, just like the Holy Blade Skill, can be used to imbue a weapon. This type of skill is perfect for Enchantment, as it saves you an entire Magic Slot.”

Su Chen sighed to himself as his gaze swept over the display cases. Inside were a halberd forged from Wind Ore Crystal, a longsword from Thunder Ore Crystal, and a warhammer from an earth-brown metal.

These corresponded to the Wind Halberd Skill, Thunder Sword Skill, and Earth Hammer Skill—all of which were a type of Element-creation Rune.

Once imbued, the weapon’s destructive power was amplified by the metal of its corresponding Element, making the effect far more than a simple sum of its parts.

The previously revealed Light Arrow Skill and Shadow Arrow could also be used to imbue arrows. However, since arrows were often unrecoverable, the high cost meant people generally didn’t bother with such Enchantments.

”There’s also the Holy Shield Skill.”

Su Chen glanced at the shields hanging on the wall. They were all forged from a single piece of Radiant Ore Crystal, their surfaces shimmering with a soft, milky-white glow.

”Holy Sword.”

Below them, several white longswords hung on a row of display racks.

These were clearly meant to be enchanted with the Holy Sword Skill.

”Can I try holding it?” Su Chen politely asked the clerk.

”No problem.”

The clerk enthusiastically stepped forward to help. Gritting his teeth with some effort, he carefully lifted the Radiant Longsword from the rack.

The clerk held it out. When he saw the tall man before him take it with a single hand, his expression turned to one of alarm. He was just about to offer a word of caution when the man raised the sword level, as if it weighed nothing at all.

”Too light.”

To Su Chen, the weapon felt almost buoyant; it was far too light.

”Ah...”

The clerk looked dumbfounded, momentarily at a loss for words.

’Am I that pathetic? I’m pretty well-built myself, a sports academy graduate for crying out loud. How could he think it’s light when I can barely swing it with one hand?’

”Do you have any better Radiant Longswords?”

Su Chen gave it a few casual swings. He could even feel that the blade’s center of balance was too far back.

’Looks like these weapons, basically mass-produced on an assembly line with Shaping Skill and molds, have their flaws. The details aren’t carefully managed; no master craftsman is overseeing the process.’

”We do, but the price is a bit high,” the clerk said, testing the waters.

”That’s not a problem,” Su Chen replied honestly.

’So infuriating to hear that... But while the clerk was complaining to himself, he was also overjoyed. He loved hearing those words. If he could close this deal, he’d get a nice little commission.’

’And the woman with him is an absolute goddess. This guy must be an incredibly powerful big shot.’

Suppressing his excitement, he respectfully led the pair to the next hall.

In this apocalyptic world, the standard currency was Rune Essence. Wealth was synonymous with power, and the powerful were often young. You had to serve them with extreme care, lest a single wrong word spark a conflict.

The House of Equipment didn’t offer custom-made services, but variations in the ore crystal material and the blacksmith’s skill meant that some exceptionally valuable pieces were inevitably created.

”What do you think of this Holy Sword?” the clerk asked, his tone carrying just the right amount of reverence.

The three of them entered a private showroom with soft lighting.

In the center of the room stood a table draped in deep red velvet. A Holy Sword lay upon it. Its radiant blade shimmered, and a natural, flowing pattern like clouds and water danced across its surface. It resembled the secret script of a prayer to the light, giving it an otherworldly beauty.

Su Chen could tell at a glance that the pattern wasn’t merely a surface decoration. It resembled a Damascus pattern, clearly the result of a folded-steel forging process.

”It’s beautiful,” Yan Ruoruo commented.

Su Chen nodded in agreement. ”This Holy Sword is certainly well-designed.”

Compared to the plain, unadorned Radiant Longswords outside, his unique, ultra-high affinity for All Elements as a Grand Elemental Master allowed him to sense the more abundant and surging particles of the Light Element within the blade.

The Radiant Ore Crystal used in this one was vastly different; in terms of purity, they were worlds apart.

”Please, try it, sir.”

The clerk gestured forward; he truly couldn’t lift this Holy Sword himself.

”It has some weight to it.”

Su Chen didn’t hesitate. The moment he gripped it with one hand, he felt its substantial weight.

’My wrist isn’t dropping, but a normal, quick swing would still be slower. To guarantee maximum killing power, I’d still have to use two hands.’

’But that’s only for now. My Strength Attribute is about to get a boost, and then I’ll be able to wield it however I please.’

Soon, Su Chen lowered his stance, channeling power into his arm. With a single straight thrust, the tip of the sword seemed to pierce the very air, letting out a sharp hum. A faint white wave of energy rippled out from the blade, spreading like an echo of light.

”How much?”

Thoroughly satisfied, Su Chen immediately asked the price.

’There’s more.’ During that brief test, he had used his Perception to feel an indescribable sense of joy from deep within the blade, as if it possessed a faint Spiritual Sense of its own.

The clerk had been startled by the display, involuntarily taking a step back. After a moment to compose himself, he said with a reverent look, ”36 Rune Essences.”

”Go ahead and wrap it up,” Su Chen agreed without hesitation.

’I browsed the market extensively last night, so I knew the going rates. A basketball-sized chunk of Red Flame Ore Crystal would sell for 18 Rune Essences. A Radiant Ore Crystal of the same standard would cost 25. And that was before considering that this sword’s material was of even higher purity, plus the costs for the masterful hand-forging and the materials for the guard and hilt.’